Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

Representatives of the State Language Center during the meeting with the Saeima’s Commission for Education, Culture and Science stressed that they cannot fully agree with the objections presented by the President of Latvia concerning the passed language law. The Center’s opinion is that public information should be only in the state language while Cabinet regulations should provide for the cases when other language can be used along with the state language. Language specialist Ina Druviete said that OSCE does not take into account the actual situation in Latvia which is why she has officially requested the organization’s representatives during their next stay in Latvia to meet the Center’s specialists.

Representatives of the State Language Center during the meeting with the Saeimas Commission for Education, Culture and Science stressed that they cannot fully agree with the objections presented by the President of Latvia concerning the passed language law. The Centers opinion is that public information should be only in the state language while Cabinet regulations should provide for the cases when other language can be used along with the state language. Language specialist Ina Druviete said that OSCE does not take into account the actual situation in Latvia which is why she has officially requested the organizations representatives during their next stay in Latvia to meet the Centers specialists.

The Center’s representatives agreed that the law could have a more specific definition of what is a “public event”, also, that the requirement to use the state language could be not applied to art performances.

The Centers representatives agreed that the law could have a more specific definition of what is a public event, also, that the requirement to use the state language could be not applied to art performances. Neatkariga, Diena, BB, Panorama Latvii

Specialists interviewed by Diena commenting on the results of the study carried out in Russian language schools admit that the government should clearly declare that Russian language will never be the state language in Latvia and at the same time invest more money and support in society integration.

Specialists interviewed by Diena commenting on the results of the study carried out in Russian language schools admit that the government should clearly declare that Russian language will never be the state language in Latvia and at the same time invest more money and support in society integration. Diena

After estimates, roughly one third of the signatures necessary to start the referendum on Pension Law are collected by now. Information was released by the Head of the Social Democrats faction Egils Baldzens. He is sure that the necessary amount will be collected thanks to the active campaigning work.

After estimates, roughly one third of the signatures necessary to start the referendum on Pension Law are collected by now. Information was released by the Head of the Social Democrats faction Egils Baldzens. He is sure that the necessary amount will be collected thanks to the active campaigning work. Neatkariga

Justice Ministry is having a discussion concerning having the assessors at the court. Most of the judges think that assessors are usually pension-age people passively taking part in trial. Giving up this practice money could be saved.

Justice Ministry is having a discussion concerning having the assessors at the court. Most of the judges think that assessors are usually pension-age people passively taking part in trial. Giving up this practice money could be saved. Neatkariga

Latvian President Vaira Vike Freiberga speaking to SWH Radio from New York said that officials from other countries show good attitude towards Latvia although there have been questions about the serious problems with ethnic minorities in Latvia. The President took the chance to explain the actual situation in personal meetings. During Freiberga’s meeting with Kofi Annan they discussed society integration issues and the process of passing the Language Law.

Latvian President Vaira Vike Freiberga speaking to SWH Radio from New York said that officials from other countries show good attitude towards Latvia although there have been questions about the serious problems with ethnic minorities in Latvia. The President took the chance to explain the actual situation in personal meetings. During Freibergas meeting with Kofi Annan they discussed society integration issues and the process of passing the Language Law. Neatkariga

In her address to the UN Assembly Freiberga mentioned that Latvia is looking forward to develop co-operation with Russia as a strong democratic country while today Latvia’s foreign policy is first of all directed towards the West as joining the EU is one of the political priorities for the country.

In her address to the UN Assembly Freiberga mentioned that Latvia is looking forward to develop co-operation with Russia as a strong democratic country while today Latvias foreign policy is first of all directed towards the West as joining the EU is one of the political priorities for the country. Panorama Latvii

September 21 Latvian government granted citizenship through naturalization to 816 persons, among them 143 are children.

September 21 Latvian government granted citizenship through naturalization to 816 persons, among them 143 are children. Panorama Latvii